Eastside High School’s two best students have more than their unscathed GPAs and certain extracurricular clubs in common: they’re both ready for college.

Jasper Narvil, Eastside’s valedictorian of the 2014 graduating class, is graduating with a 4.0 GPA and plans to head into the heart of Atlanta this fall, pursuing a degree in international affairs and economics at Georgia Tech.

He said he is not sure what he wants to do with the degree he will earn in college yet, but luckily he has a while to figure that out.

Narvil fondly remembered going to Latin convention and being a part of National Honors Society and the Academic Team. Out of school, he volunteered at the zoo for three years.

Narvil, who was born in Henry County and moved to Newton County his freshman year, said he will be living on campus at Georgia Tech in a dorm.

“Being in Atlanta will be exciting,” Narvil said.

He said high school was “a lot of fun, but it’s a lot of work, too. I wouldn’t do it again, but I’m definitely glad I did it.”

Faith Bartello, Eastside’s 2014 salutatorian, is also graduating with a 4.0 GPA but is instead packing her bags for Athens to attend the University of Georgia in the fall.

The Covington native will pursue a degree in biology to become a pediatrician.

She said her favorite class and teacher was Latin with Mr. (Eric) Adams because he “makes it really interesting and fun.”
Bartello took part in Color Guard, the Concert and Symphonic Band, National Honors Society and the National Beta Club.
She said she is excited about “the freedom of being on my own, but that’s also nerve-wracking.”

However, she will not be alone in Athens. She plans to room with a friend she has been going to church with since she was 15.

In her spare time, Bartello said she loves watching her nine-year-old brother play baseball.

Eastside High School’s 289 graduating seniors, according to a list provided May 8, will turn their tassels Saturday, May 24 at 3 p.m. at the Springfield Baptist Church.